M3200

Edifier's M3200 PC speakers sit in the middle of the company’s PC stereo line-up, underneath the significantly dearer and quite impressive S730. With this in mind we were interested to see whether the rest of Edifier's extensive product line lived up to expectations. The M3200 is a 2.1 system, comprising two front speakers for the right and left channels and a powered subwoofer. It'll be more than enough for anyone who plays PC games with the occasional bout of music listening, although if you're overly concerned about getting the clearest, richest sound or ground-shaking volume you'd be well advised to look elsewhere.

The design is quite striking: an avant-garde look that will fit in with a modern LCD monitor's rounded bezel. The two stereo speakers steal the show, each shaped like a flower vase cross-bred with a futuristic pepper-grinder. Their fascias are a fabric-covered black, with a thin red band circling the thinnest point on each speaker. The rest of the triangular-based speakers are a glossy black. Edifier's logo adorns the top of each speaker — a nice touch that definitely adds a feel of quality. The subwoofer's black and red styling mimics that of the speakers, but it's a more conventional shape to allow for normal bass response.

Set up is, of course, remarkably simple. The subwoofer connects to the speakers using RCA connectors, while the volume control is attached with a VGA-style D-Sub plug. This means it can be securely screwed in, so there's no chance of detaching it accidentally. The back of the subwoofer also houses the main 3.5mm line-in socket, while a second socket is provided for connecting an MP3 player or other audio device. The system's amplifier and power supply are also housed inside the subwoofer enclosure, so there are no unnecessary cables or power bricks littering the floor.

The volume control is a thing of beauty, as we've come to expect from all of Edifier's products. It's large, heavy and flat, with a perfectly smooth range of motion for adjusting volume. It's simply a joy to use — other manufacturers could learn a lesson from Edifier here. The volume control has a headphone output built in as well, and a line-in socket for quick connection of MP3 players.

The M3200 has sound quality that suits its 'multimedia' designation. The speakers have a tweeter in the top segment and a small woofer in the bottom and are able to output a strong, lively sound — even if it isn't particularly crisp or detail-rich. This type of sound would be suitable for watching movies or listening to music occasionally. Bass levels aren't too bad on their middle setting, while the adjustable dial on the back of the unit means it can be tailored to any room or living space.

These speakers are simple to set up, produce sound that’s easy to listen to and look quite modern. If you're looking for some reasonably-priced all-rounders, the M3200 speakers from Edifier are a legitimate choice.